One way to capture an inattentive student's attention is to have the students be actively doing something as opposed to just listening. Having a partially completed note-taking sheet for them to complete or having quick pair-share activities will focus the student. Many times they become bored because they feel they are just sitting there listening, and they need some tangible activity to engage them.
We will always have students that at some time arent atttentive. This occurs for varyous reasons but there are effective ways of limiting it. Each situation is different and must be handled accordingly. On some occasions I will change up my teaching style. If my lecture and powerpoints are causing people to lose focus I may switch to a writing exercise. If a student is beginning to lose focus I may call on them to answer a question or participate in a demo for the class. Physically engaging them in some way usually helps.
Eye contact and active participation will provide a good educational environment.
Hi Paul,
I agree! Sometimes I just give them a good stare, and they get it that they need to start paying attention.
Patricia Scales
Hi Freddie,
I like how you randomly choose students to groups, by doing this students pay attention because no one likes being put on the spot and not knowing.
Patricia Scales
Some ways you can capture the attention of inattentive students are by:
a. Walking to their section on the class while instructing
b. Asking them questions directly
c. Breaking the class into smaller work groups
Often, after about 15-20 minutes of lecture there is a group activity that students must perform. Usually there are four or five groups. I call on a group to demonstrate the procedure we just discussed. I don't always let the students pick the group, sometimes it is randomly chosen using a modified deck of cards. Students then know they will have to keep alert in order to do the demonstration and that they may be called on (randomly) to show the procedure to the class.
I, however, never leave them hanging. If they are having difficulty, I ask leading questions or get feeback from other class members to support his/her efforts.
direct your attention to that individual and make ihm\her deliver an answer
Hi Vanessa,
Try different things with your students. Simulations, scenarios, case studies, mock learning, field trips, group teaching, and guest speakers, all of these things work well.
Patricia Scales
The way I am going to capture my students attention that has been inattentive I will talk with them one on one. I would like that student to know that I really care about him or her.
I like the role playing idea and I will do more of that to help keep my students attention.
I often feel that my lectures are to long and the students has gone to Hawaii in their minds. Moving forward role playing will be another way to help my students pay attention.
I walk over to their area nonchalantly, and they usually straighten their act up. If that doesn't happen I ask them a question that involves the subject.
I myself am a veteran, so it is easy for me to connect with students that have served in the military. With this connection it makes it easier to listen and talk with my students. For the ones they have no military experience they enjoy listening to the stories and will then chime in with stories of there own.
I think the best way is to have some sort of "hands-on" activity that requires them to physically participate.
By doing fun activities. Setting the stage with a story relating to the topic. What happened in the beginning, why and what was the outcome.
the way i capture the students attention is with the lectures i add real world things with it keeps the students attention.it also open up the lines for disscussion
There are many ways of capturing the attention of the students but I found out for me, talking one on one always seems to help.
if you have a student who isnt into what your trying to teach , i start asking direct questions around the room and having given that person time to see that they will be asked a question at some point , they will usually focus on the our discussion and try to be prepared ! sometimes just asking their opinion may do the trick !
Breaking the class up into small groups makes the students focus.
Inattentive students lose focus for various reasons. A reason that I always see is lack of interest. Depending on how many students are inattentive I might stop and do a brainteaser with them to capture their attention. If it's just one or two students I may just call their name to get them to come back to the class.
